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Libya’s power struggle

A rebel soldiers stands on a burnt tank of Muammar Gaddafi's forces after an airstrike by French Airforce, 25 kilometers outside of Benghazi, Libya, 20 March 2011. Manu Brabo/EPA

The temporary kidnapping of Libya’s Prime Minister Ali Zeidan by armed men has highlighted the country’s political power struggle. A weak government that has yet to form a new constitution, tribal and rebel factions vying for increasing power and an oil sector plagued by strikes have some Libyans bracing for a further slide into lawlessness. Two years after the revolution ended Muammar Gaddafi’s 42-year rule, how has the country fared? And who really controls Libya? Join us at 19:30 GMT.

Libya's Power Struggle

Is the country sliding further into lawlessness?

The recent kidnapping of Prime Minister Ali Zeidan by armed men, sheds light on the current state of Libya. The country is facing a variety of rebellions especially in the oil-rich east, where protesters closed oil terminals, and in Benghazi, where a council has been set up to run local affairs.

In a statement to his cabinet after his release, Zeidan said "I am still walking my way, and will not bow":

Armed groups like the Operations Room of Libya's Revolutionaries took to Facebook and claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. Below is a statement posted on the Supreme Council for Libya Rebels Facebook page, confirming that Zeidan is in the rebels' custody and in good health.

Many reacted to Zeidan's later statement that the kidnapping was an attempted coup and that members of Congress were carrying out a conspiracy against him:

#Zeidan's message today is defiant against the groups that are trying to unseat him at any cost without following legal processes. #LibyaMohamed Eljarh

It's time to kick some butt #Libya style! Go #Zeidankristi كريستي

Some were suspicious of the circumstances around his kidnapping.

I need to ask the obvious, if PM Zeidan was freed by force and not released, why haven't any of the perpetrators been arrested ? #LibyaRami EL OBEIDI

Ok, I'm just putting this out there but what if Zeidan's whole kidnapping then release was all part to gain support for himself? #Libyaيوسف الفاخري

Room of Libya's Revolutionaries later rejected earlier reports that it was responsible for the Prime Minister's kidnapping:

Translation:The Operations Room of Libya’s Revolutionaries deny any connection with the disappearance of Prime Minister Ali Zeidan despite what was conveyed and published in the media about the responsibility of Operations Room of Libya’s Revolutionaries and they will be prosecuted through legal means for not disclosing their sources through audio, video, or writing. It is not part of the ethics or process of the Operations Room to work in this way. The law is the main process for any work it does and its mission is insurance and not carrying out such acts.

Statement of operations room Libya rebels which denies any connection to the disappearance of Prime Minister Ali ZaidanSupreme Council for Libya rebels

However, the incident highlights growing lawlessness in Libya, where security is largely provided by independent armed groups with varying degrees of connection to the government.

graphicnews.org

Adding to the conflict, the Barqa Youth Movement just declared the eastern area of Libya to be an autonomous province. It is supported by Al-Saddiq al-Ghaithi, a former member of the Libyan defense ministry that was also in charge of securing oil fields. This Al Jazeera piece describes declining oil production in Libya due to increased protests and unrest in the area:

تراجع إنتاج النفط في بعض الحقول الليبيةaljazeerachannel

Furthermore, tribal disputes in several sections of Libya are seen as the products of the revolution as warring factions accuse each other of committing atrocities. This image highlights the locations and affiliations of many tribes during the revolution:

newsflick.net

This political instability has resulted in little progress towards drafting Libya's new constitution. Our community shared their views on the situation:

@AJStream how will libya draft a constitution when its a jungle of clans out there trying to do each other iniˡᶤᶬᶤᵗᵉᵈᵉᵈᶤᵗᶤᵒᶰ®

@AJStream hw do u expct a new constitution wen Libya is in a chaotic situation!U need a stable polity to draft a constitution,Libya lacks itTaha

The community also discussed what the abduction meant for the state of affairs in Libya:

@AJStream The exact definition of a failed state! Infact Somali land lkooks more secure than Libya today.Umar

@ajstream That there's still so much unrest and another civil war may take place!chika j.o ikwuetoghu

@AJStream The country has being broken up and different militia groups control different areas the oil and gas are now control by the westjason bell

@AJStream Its worse than what it was under Ghadaffi. Very lawless and a haven for international terrorist organisation with arms everywhere.Izukanne Akosa

@AJStream I think it's too soon to tell, considering the state Libya was in after the dictatorship. We haven't even finished healing yet.Nada Elfeituri

Some offered their solutions to the current situation:

@AJStream The government now is transitional. Also, it's perimeters are temporary. It can't really move on until it completes its mandate.live

@AJStream I think libya cannot get out of this phase without help of other main countries and nations like arabic countries and USAmohammed alsalik